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Six months later...
Dr. Jekyll's worst nightmare had come true...Emma was pregnant. She'd
had some strange feeling inside that she might have been, but was too
ashamed to have Henry examine her. The day that Emma first told him
of the news, which would normally have been most joyous...it was all he
could
do to keep himself from weeping right before her. Emma went to him
one evening and found him in his study looking sad and tired...but hearing
her
voice and seeing her face somewhat lifted his spirits...knowing that
there was still something good in his life took away his heartache only
for the
moments they were together...
"Henry." she whispered...he turned around quickly...a smile came to his face as he went to her...
"My Emma..." he wrapped his arms around her and they kissed gently...such
a comforting place. They held each other... but Emma grew tense and
pulled away..."What is it?"
"Henry...I must tell you something..." her voice began to tremble and her eyes filled with tears...
"What?" She stared at him for a few minutes trying to gather up all
the courage she had to utter those words to him..."Emma?" She walked away
and
stood with her back to him...
"Henry...I...I'm pregnant..." He felt as though his heart was going
to explode...a sudden feeling of dizziness fell upon him as he stumbled,
reaching
for his chair, "Henry, here..." She caught him by his waist and sat
him down on the soft seat...
"It's..." he could hardly speak...
"Look at me..." he looked up at her as the tears began to flow down
his face like rain..."We cannot let this pull us apart..." Emma
whispered..."You've done so much for me, darling...but now I need you
to help keep me strong more than ever...I can't do this alone, Henry."
"Oh Emma..." he held his head in his hands...he could feel her running
her fingers gently through his hair..."Why does this have to happen...it
isn't
fair..." He realized that she needed his support at that very moment,
but he couldn't look at her...
"I'm...sorry..."
"Why are you sorry? You couldn't have controlled this even if you'd
tried with every ounce of strength that you possess in your body...I don't
want to
hear any apologies leave your lips ever again...I will never leave
you, dear heart...you are my world..." he gently pressed his hand against
her
stomach, "And we will love this little one...as much as we may hate
the man who's done this to you, this baby is a part of you, Emma darling...and...I
will make it a part of me..."
Henry had kept his word. Each night, he would sit alone in his study
and pray for strength...strength to love that child with all his heart
and not resent
it for being conceived in such a disgusting and nightmarish manner....each
night he would feel somewhat relieved after his prayer...then there were
those nights where the demon would possess his mind...and his body...
"Dear God...I've never asked much of you...but I need you now...please...forgive
my sins. Forgive me for bringing that monster out of his hell and
into our world...help me be strong for both Emma and myself..."
"God can't help you now, Jekyll..." he ignored the burning and continued....
"Help me push the evil out of my heart and soul...save me from this nightmare..."
"It's useless asking your God to save you...you brought me here on your own...now you'll have to face me on your own."
"Lord..please...take the pain away..." he tried to speak in between gasps for air...the pain was growing worse...
"Oh Henry...does it hurt? Well, I don't know why you're so surprised...it's not as though we've never been through this before."
"Why must you do this..."
"We've a few things to discuss..."
"Emma is not--"
"Yes...Emma. Very good, Henry!! How is our little love feeling these days, hm? I can see she's growing rather large, isn't she?"
"Don't..."
"Don't...what? Do you think I'd hurt her? Oh come now Henry!! The
sweet little woman who is expecting my child...why would I ever dream of
harming her?"
"This baby is not yours..."
"Oh really! You just wait and see..."
"I won't let you..."
"Here we go again, Henry. You know very well you can't control anything anymore...well...actually...you never could..."
"Just leave us..."
"Are you crying? No need for tears, doctor. I will leave you and
yours alone...for the time being...but I don't suggest you get too accustomed
to
the peace, my dear....hahah...it won't last very long. Do take care,
Henry..." with that, the pain ceased.
"Sir? Are you alright?" Henry didn't answer... "Dr. Jekyll?"
"What is it..."
"Doctor, I heard you talking to yourself just a moment ago...is everything alright?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm fine Poole. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, there's a lady here to see you, sir. A Miss Harris, I believe."
"Lucy?"
"I don't know, doctor. She was only good enough to tell me her last name."
"Yes, it's Lucy. I'll be right there."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Tell her I'll be down in a moment."
"Of course." Henry picked himself up off the floor and went over to
the mirror...he pulled his hair back and slipped on his jacket...making
an attempt
at looking somewhat sane. He then made his way downstairs to his study
to meet with Lucy. When he first walked in, she stood by his desk,
appearing to be somewhat interested in it's contents...
"Do you see anything you like, Lucy?" She quickly jumped around and blushed...
"I'm so sorry, doctor. I didn't realize that you were standing there..." He smiled warmly...
"No need for apologies. What brings you here this evening? You're not hurt, are you?" He remembered the circumstances of her last visit very well...
"Oh no...I'm in good 'ealth...physically, at least."
"What's happened Lucy?"
"You see...Mr. Hyde..." Henry's heart began to pound the minute that name was spoken..."He's an awful man, doctor."
"I've heard." Judging by his tone of voice, she could tell that it was one subject that the doctor would rather not speak of...
"I hear your fiancee is pregnant." she whispered in an attempt at easing the tension...
"Yes, she is...very."
"How far along is she now? If ya' don't mind my askin'."
"Almost seven months."
"Well, I bet you're excited about having a lil' baby." She said smiling...he didn't answer..."You are, aren't you?"
"Oh, yes of course. We've planned on having children...Emma and myself..."
"It's not yours, is it..." He looked up at her with a confused expression...instead
of becoming upset, he merely laughed it off..."It isn't sir, I know
it...it's Edward Hyde's baby...he told me himself..." Yes..he remembered
now...
"What else did he tell you, dear?"
"I shouldn't be tellin' you this...he threatened my life." The doctor
walked very slowly towards Lucy and took her hands in his...and spoke with
a
strong tone of concern, his voice practically breaking...
"You have to tell me, Lucy..."
"I know I 'ave to. I'm just scared...look, I never intended on doin' this...to you or Emma."
"Doing what?" She looked away from him and stared at the floor, trying to hold back the tears she felt welling in her eyes...
"Mr. Hyde wants me to take the baby after it's been born." He didn't
answer her...he stared at her...and gently brushed away the tear rolling
down her
cheek..."But I would neva' do it, doctor. I care too much for you..."
Henry sighed and turned away...
"Do you honestly care that much about me? Do you care enough to help me stop this?"
"Of course I do..."
"You have to do something for me, Lucy. This will save you...as well
as Emma and the baby." The frown disappeared from her face as she heard
him
speak...
"What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to take Emma and leave this place."
"Where would we go, doctor?"
"Call me Henry..." he touched her cheek..."Just take her and go. I don't
want to know where. You're not to tell anyone of this. Not me...not Mr.
Hyde, should he ask...not anyone."
"You'll never be able to convince Miss Emma to go anywhere with a girl like myself...she'd never agree to be seen with me..."
"Don't talk like that. She will go and she will not utter one complaint. If she knows that it's to protect the baby, she will go."
"When do you plan on telling Emma of your plans?"
"I'll go to her this evening and explain things. She'll understand...she
has no choice. And I will come straight to you..." He only prayed that
Hyde
would not show his ugly face during the night's activities...
"Well, what about you? What will you do when we're gone?"
"I have some business to discuss with Mr. Hyde."
"Oh 'enry...you know 'im? Why do you socialize with gents' like that? His heart is like stone--"
"Yes, I'm well aware of that Lucy. I've had brief encounters with him
ever since Emma's attack. He does it to taunt me..." She walked to him
and held
his face in her hands. At first, he thought to turn away, but there
was something in her touch that was comforting to him...
"Dear, sweet doctor...I will do it for you...but don't go gettin' yourself
killed by that mad man...this world would never be the same without you
in it.
You're all that's good here..." After a brief silence between them,
their eyes met...Lucy moved in slowly and her lips met his in a soft kiss.
Lucy slid his arms around her waist and then wrapped hers around his
neck...he made an attempt at pulling away...but she wouldn't let him go,
"No..please...let me just have this one moment with you."
"I can't, Lucy..."
"You can...you can..."
"No...I--" but he gave into her. He didn't understand why he couldn't
break free..."Why am I so lost in this woman's kiss...how can I let
myself be
controlled in such way?" He cursed himself for allowing her
to put her spell over him but at that precious moment, she could've asked
the world of
him, and he would've granted her wish without a second thought. Lucy's
heart lept. At last she had the man she so loved and wanted in her arms,
she
would try her hardest to keep him there as long as she possibly could...she
began to loosen the band which held his hair in place...and then the gentle
kisses on his neck...reality struck, "She will know...she will see...I
have to stop this now..." He slowly, but gently, lifted her arms down
from
around his neck...and ended their kiss...leaving her shocked and hurt,
"Lucy...listen to me..."
"You don't 'ave to explain...I understand..."
"Please...look at me..." She touched her lips and turned towards the door...
"I'll be goin' back where I belong...don't forget to tell Miss Emma of your plan..." , with that, Lucy was gone.
Henry was left alone, hating himself for shattering that poor girl's
hopes and feelings..."She loves me...how could I do that to her?"
It wasn't so
much the actual kiss that bothered him...it was the thought that he
was leading her to believe that they could have a relationship like the
one she so very
wanted. He knew that Hyde had gone to Lucy so many times and hurt her...and
even though it technically was not he who actually harmed her, it
was...he couldn't allow himself to fall into his own trap. But he didn't
have time to pine over the pain he'd caused Lucy...he needed to get to
Emma.
He pulled himself together and called for Poole...
"Yes, doctor?"
"Did you see Miss Harris out?"
"Yes, I most certainly did, sir. Will there be anything else?"
"I have to step out for a moment. I'm going to see Emma."
"Is everything alright?"
"It will be. But I must get to her."
"Just be careful, sir. Oh, before you go. You don't think Mr. Hyde will make any...appearances...this evening, do you?"
"No, I...I don't think he'll by the house tonight. You've nothing to
fear. I'll be back as soon as I possibly can."